Rings of Consciousness

It can be dangerous trying to send someone a message. Spoken words may be overheard, written correspondence may be intercepted, and body language may be seen. Did you ever wish you could think the words and they would be known?

Gregor had been known as the Prince of Thieves for nearly half a century. He was the stern but funloving guildmaster of the BlueWolf thieves’ guild whose reaches spread to very edges of the civilized lands. He had enjoyed many decades of adventures, including a few close calls, and was well respected by many—even a few noblemen who understood his way of life and the way he ran things.

Gregor wasn’t a violent man, and trained his theives to avoid violence at all possible. They were known to “lighten the load” of many who were more “blessed” than others, but they were not murderers or assasins. This was in stark contrast to the prior guildmaster who had been bloodthirsty. And so therefore, many times a blind eye had been turned to the doings of the BlueWolf guild.

However, Gregor was declining rapidly as he grew old in age, and it was time for him to pass on his title to the next guildmaster. Gregor’s right-hand man was his youngest son, Jerik. Jerik had the same kind heart and, to some extent, skills of his father but he desperately lacked the mental sharpness that would be required of a succesful leader. Never the less, Jerik was Gregor’s chosen successor, fearing that a few of the other higher ranking members may succumb to their greed and return to the old way of doing things.

Unbeknownst to anyone else besides Jerik and himself, Gregor also had a daughter. She was the only child born to him by gypsy woman he had loved once. Her mother had died when she was very young and Gregor had hired a young peasant girl to care for the child. He paid her well and always made sure that she and his daughter, Jade (after her distinct green eyes), were well cared for in exchange for keeping her lineage a secret. Being the Prince of Thieves and all, he had managed to secure a few enemies and he did not want anyone to harm his daughter in an attempt to get back at him or hold leverage against him.

Gregor loved his daughter very much, and he visited her in secret as often as he could. During these visits, he taught her the tricks of the trade, as well as the art of knife-fighting, should anyone ever find out his secret and make an attempt on her life. Since he trusted Jerik with the very secrets of the guild, he also trusted him with the knowledge of his half-sister. He was even allowed to accompany Gregor on his visits now and then, but not so aften as to arouse suspicion.

Now, as I mentioned, Jerik wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Don’t picture him as the traditional beef-headed fighter, and he was by no means mentally retarded, but he simply did not lack the ability to create the complex schemes that the guild carried out. Jade, on the other hand, posessed all of the mental accuteness of her father. Her only flaw, of course, was that she was female.

And so it was that Gregor contrived his final scheme; also his best, if he didn’t say so himself. He contacted a sage whose good graces he was in and asked him to create an elaborate pair of rings. The sage would be compensated beyond his imagination if he would just do this last favor for Gregor.

The first ring was made for Jerik. It was a gold ring with an onyx stone, encrusted with the family’s crest. To any observer, it would simply appear to be a family heirloom. Although a very fine ring, it appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary; certainly not containing any special powers. Merely a signet ring passed from a father to his son.

The second ring was made for Jade. It was fashioned from the finest silver twisted around—what else—a large jade gem. Again, a beautiful ring, but nothing that would appear extraordinary. Most importantly, even if you were holding both rings, they were so difference in appearence that you would never imagine that they were a pair.

Finally, when Gregor “officially” passed his position on to Jerik, he introduced his son’s new “bodygaurd.” This slender new character was clothed in assasin’s robes and was completely covered save his piercing green eyes. Gregor explained that the assasin would constantly be by Jerik’s side and that from now on, you would never see one without the other. The assasin never spoke in front of anyone, and no one knows what he really looks like under his robes. Although the assasin is small in stature, those who have attempted to test his skills have paid with their lives and it is widely known now that if anyone attempts to harm the new Prince of Thieves, they will not live to tell the tale.

By using these rings, Jade is able to aid her brother in his reign as gulidmaster and no one is the wiser. She is present in all meetings, private or otherwise. Together, the two of them are able to continue what their father started; Jerik being the public face and Jade being the mastermind behind the elaborate schemes. And best of all, no one is able to intercept their communications.

Magical Properties:

Alone, each ring has no powers. But when both are worn, they form a very powerful bond.

**While both rings are worn, the wearers are able to communicate telepathically. It is important to note that neither one holds control over the other; they are simply able to read as well as project thoughts inside the other’s head.

**They do not have an infinite range. In fact for them to function, the wearers must be in relatively close proximity to one another (50-75 feet would be skirting the outer limits).

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This could also be used as a tool of espionage. Remember that the rings are in no way similar. Imagine if one was given as a "gift" to someone, possibly in a position of power such as a high ranking official or advisor. Then the other was kept by the giver. As long has the giver abstained from projecting any thoughts to the receiver, he would never know that someone was reading his mind. This would be a great way to learn secrets, etc. The only drawback would be the short range, making it possible for only the stealthiest spys or possibly someone close to the receiver that would never be suspected.

Link Backs

Mining in a certain area turns all exposed skin (maybe just parts that are actively disturbing the chemicals that cause the reaction) of the those doing the mining to a dark blue color. Will wear off taking as many years/days spent in the mine. ... meeting a party of blue-skinned humans armed with pick-axes etc. Strange disease? Demon offspring? Curse? If they meet only one ex-worker, they will very carefully listen to any stories he says, no matter if drunken or insane, or just makes up to get a beer.